ST. PAUL, Minn. - A baby orangutan has been born at the Como Zoo.
The baby girl was born on Jan. 7 at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center via C-section to mom, Markisa -- a 27-year-old Sumatran Orangutan.
The baby was 3.45 pounds at birth.
The zoo said this is Markisa's second C-section, which is very rare.
Como Zoo primate keeper Megan Elder said "there are only about a dozen recorded within the International Orangutan Studbook that has tracked more than 1,200 births in captivity throughout history."
Markisa is back at the zoo, recovering from the procedure. The baby girl is currently in the ICU unit at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center in the care of Como Zoo primate keeper professionals. She is expected to return to her mother in a day or two.
Zoo officials say reintroducing the baby to her mother could take several days to weeks.
